Dense fog gives way to mild day for Volusia, Flagler

Motorists cross the Tomoka River bridge on U.S. 1 in a heavy fog, Monday January 20, 2014 in Ormond Beach.

News-Journal/DAVID TUCKER

STAFF REPORT

Published: Monday, January 20, 2014 at 6:25 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, January 20, 2014 at 10:31 p.m.

After an early morning of dense fog with visibility of less than a quarter of a mile in some parts of Volusia and Flagler counties, the Martin Luther King Day holiday should turn into a nice day for the area.

Monday will be mostly sunny with light winds and a high near 68 in Daytona Beach, part of a mild start to the week before the next cold spell makes things chilly again by Wednesday, the National Weather Service in Melbourne reports.

The patchy fog was the biggest worry on Monday, especially for morning commuters, who use caution and allow plenty of time for getting to work. The fog is supposed to dissipate through mid-morning.

Overnight temperatures Monday will drop to the high 40s under clear skies.

After Tuesday heats up to the mid-70s, the warmest temperatures of the week's forecast, another cold front moves in, bringing strong winds and a 20 percent chance of rain on Tuesday, then dropping overnight temperatures into the mid-30s.

Wednesday's high will be only in the low 50s. Daytime highs will slowly climb back to the mid-60s by the end of the week, while overnight lows range from the mid-30s to low 40s.

At the beaches, a moderate threat for rip currents is in place. Anyone entering the chilly surf should do so within sight of a lifeguard.

A low to moderate fire danger is in effect for much of east Central Florida as well. Low afternoon humidity and dry conditions may present issues for existing fires or contribute to new starts.

For boaters, persistent offshore flow will occur through Wednesday, generating rough short-period waves within a few miles of shore. Winds and seas will increase behind Tuesday's strong cold front, creating poor to hazardous marine conditions through Wednesday and again on Friday.

On the roads, the Florida Highway Patrol reported an accident with injuries in Palm Coast at Seminole Woods and Sesame boulevards at 6:01 a.m. Lanes remained open. In Volusia, there were no accidents, but visibility was a problem on Interstate 95 near New Smyrna Beach and Daytona Beach, and Interstate 4 had visibility issues near DeLand. State Road 415 in Osteen was closed at Fort Smith Boulevard because of smoke from a nearby wildfire. An early morning accident in Orange County closed eastbound I-4 at Kirkman Road.

<p>After an early morning of dense fog with visibility of less than a quarter of a mile in some parts of Volusia and Flagler counties, the Martin Luther King Day holiday should turn into a nice day for the area. </p><p>Monday will be mostly sunny with light winds and a high near 68 in Daytona Beach, part of a mild start to the week before the next cold spell makes things chilly again by Wednesday, the National Weather Service in Melbourne reports.</p><p>The patchy fog was the biggest worry on Monday, especially for morning commuters, who use caution and allow plenty of time for getting to work. The fog is supposed to dissipate through mid-morning.</p><p>Overnight temperatures Monday will drop to the high 40s under clear skies.</p><p>After Tuesday heats up to the mid-70s, the warmest temperatures of the week's forecast, another cold front moves in, bringing strong winds and a 20 percent chance of rain on Tuesday, then dropping overnight temperatures into the mid-30s.</p><p>Wednesday's high will be only in the low 50s. Daytime highs will slowly climb back to the mid-60s by the end of the week, while overnight lows range from the mid-30s to low 40s.</p><p>At the beaches, a moderate threat for rip currents is in place. Anyone entering the chilly surf should do so within sight of a lifeguard.</p><p>A low to moderate fire danger is in effect for much of east Central Florida as well. Low afternoon humidity and dry conditions may present issues for existing fires or contribute to new starts.</p><p>For boaters, persistent offshore flow will occur through Wednesday, generating rough short-period waves within a few miles of shore. Winds and seas will increase behind Tuesday's strong cold front, creating poor to hazardous marine conditions through Wednesday and again on Friday. </p><p>On the roads, the Florida Highway Patrol reported an accident with injuries in Palm Coast at Seminole Woods and Sesame boulevards at 6:01 a.m. Lanes remained open. In Volusia, there were no accidents, but visibility was a problem on Interstate 95 near New Smyrna Beach and Daytona Beach, and Interstate 4 had visibility issues near DeLand. State Road 415 in Osteen was closed at Fort Smith Boulevard because of smoke from a nearby wildfire. An early morning accident in Orange County closed eastbound I-4 at Kirkman Road.</p>